Evolution has given us the possibility to see the world in three dimensions: height, width and depth. Thanks to this, we can judge distances between objects in space, something that technology has only recently been able to do. Until now, our screens, as big and as vivid they could be, did not give us this three dimensional, or 3D, experience. Our computers were stuck in two dimensions, which is a great disadvantage. The machines that we possess can render much more complex graphics than what we can see on our screens, and with some new innovations in the technology of the screens we use, now we are able to view this content. We previously have covered how the 3D technology works in our top of the best 3D camcorders you can buy, but now we can give you an awesome way to view this 3D content: 3D projectors.
Are 3D projectors like 3D LCD screens?
3D projectors work somehow like 3D displays, but at a bigger scale. They have the possibility to render a 3D image and project it on a surface, where you can view it with the necessary equipment (3D glasses, both active and passive). The difference between the 3D displays and a 3D projector is the fact that that the display only shows you an already rendered 3D image, coming from your video card, where a 3D projector has an integrated 3D chip that allows the post-processing of the feed coming from your video card, giving you a more immersive experience and also giving the impression that you are looking at a much bigger screen. The difference between the two comes when you sit back and watch a Full HD 3D movie. As you all know, in a theatre, when you see a 3D movie, you have an immersive experience, due to the huge screen you look at, whereas a 3D LCD display only looks like a box with people trapped inside it. 3D displays do not give you the feeling that you are in the middle of the action and you are constantly aware that you are looking at a screen, the lack of “immersiveness” takes away all the awe from the 3D experience. Luckily, for the true home theatre aficionados out there, the solution for this problem comes in the form of 3D projectors, capable of giving that theatre experience, in the sanctity of their homes.
How to choose the best 3D projector for you?
Nowadays, 3D projectors are much more widespread than what they used to be, say, 2 years ago. Then, the 3D technology was in its infancy, and for the home user, it proved to be a very expensive solution and the amount on 3D content was next to none. Today, things have changed: 3D content is widely available, from movies to TV channels in full HD 3D, and the prices of 3D equipment have gone down.
Related Article: Your Own Movie House: Understand and Use the Best Projectors You can buy a decent 3D projector for about $1500 and you can enjoy HD content in a manner that you never could. The thing to look for when buying a 3D projector is the resolution, you should go for something capable of rendering full HD video (that means 1920×1080 resolution) or at least an HD Ready projector capable of showing 720p content. Also, a very important factor in buying a 3D projector is the luminosity it gives. The luminosity is measured in Lumens and it basically means the amount of light it gives of. The bigger the luminosity, the better. Most models of 3D projectors come with around 2000 lumens, and can go up to 4000 in more expensive models. But try to find one that has no less than 2000 lumens. Also, an important note: ANSI Lumens are not the same as regular Lumens. You might find this spec in some cases. The ANSI score is much lower than the Lumen score, and it is determined by American National Standards Institute. They are in charge of testing and rating such products and they give a much more reliable score than the manufacturers of the devices. Contrast is also very important in 3D projectors. What it basically means is the difference between the black and white colors, the bigger the contrast is, the better the image quality it provides.
Are 3D Projectors a valid option?
In short, yes. If you are a movie addict or an avid gamer, then a 3D projector will give you a much more immersive experience. Look at a game running on your 27” display, now, imagine that display 10 times bigger. Of course, some of you might argue that the picture is much more sharper on a LED display than on a projected surface, but these are not meant for the die-hard gamers and also, a good projector, with a high luminosity can render very crisp images, almost matching the quality of the best displays out there. Also, the added benefit of playing in 3D, in a totally immersive environment, will give you an unparalleled experience. For movies, the same is true, the bigger screen of the projector also makes it a better environment for watching movies. The only equivalents in screens I can think of that could give such an experience are the screens developed by Samsung and soon to be widely implemented: the clear glass displays that render images on a transparent sheet of glass, perfect for windows, advertisements and, of course, very well hidden screens in the walls of your house. Also, let’s not forget about the the flexible displays, also developed by Samsung that promise to bring a new age in gaming screens. The only problem I can see with projectors is the fact that they bring lots of new wires in your home, and for some who want a smart house that has no visible wires, this might be a problem. Although some models come with wireless dongles that let you use the 3D projectors without filling your house with wires, there will be some time before this technology will be fully implemented.
Top 3D Projectors
Because 3D projectors are commonly available nowadays, there are hundreds of models out there, with prices ranging from $1500 or less (for low end models) and going up to $5000 in some cases, or even more. We present to you a short list of 3D projectors, best suited for the average user or for home theatre aficionados. I won’t be going into too many details on them because they offer similar features, but I will give you a few technical specs for each of them, to help you decide which one is better for you and to help you understand what to look for when buying a 3D Projector.
6. Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 5010 LCD 3D 1080p Projector
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Resolution: 1920×1080 Luminosity: 1800 ANSI Lumens Contrast: 200.000:1 Capability: Full HD 3D
5. BenQ W7000 1080p DLP 3D Home Theater Projector
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Resolution: 1920×1080 Luminosity: 2000 ANSI Lumens Contrast: 50.000:1 Capability: Full HD 3D
4. Acer H9500BD 1080p 3D Home Theater Projector
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Resolution: 1920×1080 Luminosity: 1800 ANSI Lumens Contrast: 50.000:1 Capability: Full HD 3D
3. Optoma HD33 1080p DLP 3D Home Theater Projector
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Resolution: 1920×1080 Luminosity: 1800 ANSI Lumens Contrast: 4000:1 Capability: Full HD 3D
2. Epson Home Cinema 3010e 3D 1080p Projector
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Resolution: 1920×1080 Luminosity: 2200 ANSI Lumens Contrast: 40.000:1 Capability: Full HD 3D
1. Panasonic AE7000U 3D Home Theater Projector
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Resolution: 1920×1080 Luminosity: 2000 ANSI Lumens Contrast: 300.000:1 Capability: Full HD 3D With these tools, you are almost set for having the perfect home theatre room to enjoy your 3D movie collection or for your gaming setup. Keep in mind to carefully arrange your home theatre room, because the placement of each component is crucial to having the desired effect.
